Five British service personnel feared dead after helicopter crash in Afghanistan

FIVE British service personnel are feared dead after the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in southern Afghanistan.

Five British service personnel are feared dead following a helicopter crash in Afghanistan[GETTY (STOCK)]

The Ministry of Defence said it was investigating the crash but cannot confirm the nationality of those killed.

However sources have said it is believed those killed were British the process of contacting the next of kin is underway.

The crash, which makes this the bloodiest day for foreign troops in Afghanistan in 2014, is not thought to have involved any enemy action.

An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm that a UK helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan today.

"The incident is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further until families have been notified."

Today's deaths bring the total number of international troops killed in Afghanistan this month to seven.

Nato forces are currently preparing to withdraw combat troops by the end of this year, with responsibility for fighting the Taliban insurgency handed over to the Afghan army and police.

If British casualties are confirmed, they would follow the previous deaths of 448 members of UK service personnel in Afghanistan.

The incident is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further until families have been notified

The MoD

It would be one of the worst air crashes involving British forces in the war torn country.

In September 2006 a Nimrod surveillance aircraft from RAF Kinloss in Scotland exploded mid-air while supporting Nato ground operations near Kandahar, killing all 14 servicemen on board.

The International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) coalition of international forces said earlier today in a statement: "Five International Security Assistance Force service members died as a result of a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan today.

"Isaf is still in the process of reviewing the circumstances to determine more facts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic event."

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